Online Therapy Boom Has Mainly Benefited Privileged Groups, Studies Find

During the pandemic, the number of Americans receiving psychotherapy increased by 30 percent through virtual sessions, but new research suggests that technology has worsened existing disparities in mental health care access. The shift to teletherapy has benefited those in higher-income brackets, cities, and with more education, while neglecting children from low-income families, Black children, and adults with serious psychological distress. Despite hopes for increased accessibility, telehealth platforms may be prioritizing patients with milder conditions and higher ability to pay, highlighting the need to address existing disparities in mental health care.

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